Venezuela news stories on Newser

Crossword Puzzle or Coded Threat? Venezuela Ponders

John Johnson — Sat, 12 May 2012 05:47:08 CDT

It makes American politics look sane: Venezuela's intelligence service grilled a crossword puzzle maker this week because some think he called for the assassination of Hugo Chavez's brother in code. As Reuters explains, answers to one newspaper puzzle included the words "adan" (the first name of the president's brother), "rafaga"...

More Cancer Treatment for Hugo Chavez

Rob Quinn — Tue, 01 May 2012 03:00:00 CDT

Hugo Chavez made his first televised address in weeks to Venezuelans yesterday as he signed a new labor law—and announced his return to Cuba for another round of cancer treatment. The president, who has spent 50 days this year in Havana being treated for an undisclosed form of cancer,...

Chavez Denies Death Rumors

Rob Quinn — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 00:08:59 CDT

Hugo Chavez, complaining that rumors of his death had become so widespread that he had to reassure his own mother that he hadn't died, has broken a 9-day silence to let Venezuelans know he's still alive and kicking. He spoke to state television from Havana, where he has been undergoing...

Chavez Cries, Prays for Jesus to Prolong Life

Dustin Lushing — Fri, 06 Apr 2012 15:43:18 CDT

In an emotional speech yesterday, Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez openly cried and asked Jesus to prolong his life. Chavez, 57, is suffering from cancer and in the past year has undergone three surgeries and two rounds of radiation, reports the Telegraph . The socialist leader's illness has become a central political...

Chilean Envoy's Daughter Shot Dead

Mary Papenfuss — Mon, 19 Mar 2012 01:40:00 CDT

The Venezuelan government is apologizing for the shooting death of the 19-year-old daughter of the Chilean envoy, killed at a security checkpoint. Twelve officers have been arrested. Karen Berendique was shot three times as she sat in a car with her brother when the officers opened fire in the western...

Defiant Journo Tracks Chavez Cancer

Matt Cantor — Fri, 09 Mar 2012 08:21:05 CST

Crave the latest on Hugo Chavez's health? A 66-year-old gossip columnist is your man. Veteran Venezuelan journalist Nelson Bocaranda was the first to report that the country's president had cancer in 2011 ; last month, he had the latest on Chavez's trip to Cuba to address a recurrence of the disease....

Chavez: My Tumor Was Malignant

Matt Cantor — Mon, 05 Mar 2012 06:10:34 CST

The tumor that Hugo Chavez recently had removed from his pelvic area was a recurrence of cancer, he says. The disease didn't spread beyond the tumor, which "was totally extracted" during his procedure in Cuba, the Venezuelan president told viewers in a televised message yesterday. He added that he'll receive...

Chavez Has Tumor Removed

Rob Quinn — Wed, 29 Feb 2012 04:35:50 CST

The Venezuelan government ended an information blackout today to announce that Hugo Chavez has had a tumor removed from his pelvis and is recovering in a Cuban hospital. The president "is in good physical condition," his vice president told the National Assembly, prompting cries of "Onward, comadante," the AP reports....

Chavez Needs More Surgery

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 17:29:32 CST

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez said today he has to have more surgery after doctors in Cuba found a new lesion in the same place where he had a tumor removed last year. The announcement thrust Venezuelan politics into new uncertainty because the 57-year-old socialist leader is seeking re-election this year,...